The three-night Challenge Sir Bani Yas cruise gave amateur athletes and their families the opportunity to stay just minutes away from the start line.
Somewhere on the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf, a cruise liner glides steadily toward Sir Bani Yas Island.
At first glance, it seems like a typical all-inclusive holiday: children splash in the rooftop pool, guests relax on sun loungers, and entertainment fills the day. But a closer look reveals a different scene—professional triathletes running laps on the deck, mechanics performing meticulous bike checks, and athletes refining their swim strokes on training machines, all while keeping an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside.
True to the UAE’s reputation for ambitious, extraordinary projects, the three-night Challenge Sir Bani Yas cruise provided amateur athletes and their families with seamless travel to the event, along with the unique opportunity to stay just minutes from the start line alongside some of the world’s top triathletes.
The second edition of this groundbreaking sporting event featured professional triathlons in long (226 km), middle (113 km), and Olympic-distance (51.5 km) formats, alongside community swim, bike, and run races, attracting over 4,800 participants representing more than 93 nationalities.
Dubai resident Christopher Van Der Wait, originally from South Africa, secured second place in his age category in the middle-distance triathlon. A seasoned amateur triathlete with over 100 races completed worldwide, he described it as the most unique event he had ever attended.
“It’s been incredible—from the cruise ship experience to the performance by the Al Fursan UAE Flying Team and the breathtaking fireworks. It truly reflects how the UAE pushes boundaries and creates events unlike anything else,” said Van Der Wait.
“Being in the same space as the athletes was both motivating and thrilling. You get to see the immense effort and dedication they put into the sport, and it also reminds you that they’re just normal people, too,” he added.
In addition to mingling at the buffet with medal-winning Olympians and Ironman champions, the cruise’s convenience was a major highlight. Race pack collections, briefings, and live Q&A sessions with the pros were all hosted onboard, while bike services and a gym catered to any last-minute training needs.
Crucially, the cruise also provided a more affordable way to travel for sports and races.
Abu Dhabi resident Giovanni Dellomes shared that it was his first time completing a 226 km triathlon. “The main reason I chose this race was knowing I wouldn’t need to buy a flight ticket or a hotel—it was much more affordable than attending a similar race elsewhere in the world.”
The cruise also made traveling with sporting equipment far simpler.
“I could just wheel my bike on and off, so there was no hassle of hiring one or worrying about luggage weight limits,” added the Filipino athlete.
“It was amazing to compete just metres from where we were staying. I felt calm the entire time. With all travel, meals, and accommodation included, it was the perfect setting to tackle such a challenging distance for the first time.”
While the pro athletes were undoubtedly a highlight of the cruise, it was the island’s 17,000 free-roaming animals that truly captured attention along the cycle course.
For Olympic triathlon participant Kara Bello, the experience felt worlds apart from her home in Abu Dhabi. “I saw oryx, gazelles, peacocks, and a large falcon soaring overhead. It was my first time on a cruise ship and my first visit to Sir Bani Yas Island, so it was thrilling in so many ways. We also loved exploring the different areas of the ship and the pool—everyone was in full vacation mode.”
The experience wasn’t limited to race participants. Ebtehag Yassin traveled from Dubai with her husband and two teenage sons to join the cruise from Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed. The Egyptian family now feels inspired to take part in a race themselves.
“We came looking for activities we could enjoy as a family, and it was the perfect escape from work and school, creating lasting memories together,” she said.
“It was amazing to see people of all ages participating, and my eldest son is now excited to sign up and race next year. It really opened our eyes to a whole scene we never knew existed in the UAE.”
Australian Belinda Granger, the Pro Liaison for the Challenge Family and a former professional triathlete, said she had never seen an event like this in her 30 years in the industry.
“I never imagined arriving at a race on a cruise ship,” she declared.
“It’s been a truly unique experience, something that has never been done before. That’s why it attracted such a strong field of professional athletes. The UAE is a place where the impossible becomes possible.”
